Innovative Lives: Dr. Harry Edwards

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Program description: Join the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation for a free virtual Innovative Lives program featuring Dr. Harry Edwards, the scholar and activist who founded the sociology of sports as an academic discipline and helped redefine the role of athletes in social movements. 

Edwards is an emeritus professor of sociology at UC Berkeley and the author of several influential books including The Revolt of the Black Athlete (1969) and the Sociology of Sport (1973).  As an activist, he is best known for organizing the 1968 Olympic Project for Human Rights that led to the Black Power salute on the medal stand by sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos in Mexico City.  Edwards has been a consultant to the NFL, WNBA, Major League Baseball, and several pro sports teams; he has advocated for greater representation of African Americans among coaches and front office executives. 

In conversation with Dr. Damion Thomas, sports curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Edwards will reflect on his life and work, from the 1968 Olympics to his lasting influence on how athletes engage with civic and social issues. This engaging discussion explores how sports can be a powerful platform for innovation, activism, and change. Free registration required.

Accessibility: This Zoom program includes captioning; it will be recorded and available on the Lemelson Center’s YouTube channel. For questions or additional accommodations, please contact LemCen@si.edu.

Special thanks: This season of Innovative Lives is kindly underwritten by the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation.